LFU:online

After successfully finishing this course you should:

- Have acquired sound knowledge of methodological approaches and issues in business administration and management research;

- Be able to understand and critically evaluate the impact of ontological and epistemological choices on research design; and

- Be capable of taking a reasoned decision regarding your own methodological position in doing your PhD research.

The course starts with an introduction to methodology and its epistemological and ontological foundations. After that, basic methodological alternatives are explored by reflecting the implications of epistemological as well as ontological choices. Discussing epistemological issues, we will explore the continuum between positivism and constructionism; discussing ontology we will explore the continuum between realism and nominalism. Coursework is based on the combination of more general methodological texts and examples of research publications to illustrate ‘methodologies in use’. The course concludes with a reflection on the consequences of methodological alternatives for the dissertation research projects of the participants

The course comprises a mix of short lecture input, student presentations, in-class discussion, group and individual tasks. It is primarily based on your active participation. To make this work, you are requested to complete some reading prior to class, prepare presentations, en-gage in critical thinking, and draw your own conclusions. You may also want to bring up contradictory thoughts of yours and discuss them in class.

Presentations, term papers, reviews of other students' term papers.

For detail see course syllabus which will be available at the start of the course.

Recommended readings for orientation (compulsory reading list t.b.a.):

Easterby-Smith, M., Thorpe, R., & Jackson, P. R. (2015). Management and business research (5th ed.). London: Sage. [ch. 1: Getting started and writing the research proposal]

Neuman, W.L. (2000). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches (4th ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon. [ch. 4: The meanings of methodology]

Czarniawska, B. (2014). Social science research: From field to desk. Los Angeles: Sage [ch. 01: What, why, and how?]

See curriculum.

Participation in seminar meetings is compulsory.